I am currently working on a desktop calculator that will be using cherry MX switches (as they are used in a lot of keyboards).

Does anyone know of a source for custom key caps that fit the cherry switches?

The other alternative is to use caps from old keyboards and put overlays on them. If I go down that route, how do I best create the images for those overlays?
How do I print and cut them? Or maybe someone with the equippment for that would be willing to make a couple of those overlays?

(07-04-2017 02:18 PM)Harald Wrote: The other alternative is to use caps from old keyboards and put overlays on them. If I go down that route, how do I best create the images for those overlays?
How do I print and cut them?

Another idea to consider would be custom made decals. You can use an ink jet printer to print you symbol on a transparent or colored decal sheet. After transfer to a blank keycap a protective coating can be applied. Decals are used extensively in model making and, although I have no direct experience myself (except childhood!), the videos I've seen on YouTube make the process seem straightforward. Here's a link to a kit to give an idea of what is involved, though the price of the kit seems excessive. Almost better to go with the custom keycaps in the earlier post.

(07-04-2017 02:18 PM)Harald Wrote: The other alternative is to use caps from old keyboards and put overlays on them. If I go down that route, how do I best create the images for those overlays?
How do I print and cut them?

Another idea to consider would be custom made decals. You can use an ink jet printer to print you symbol on a transparent or colored decal sheet. After transfer to a blank keycap a protective coating can be applied. Decals are used extensively in model making and, although I have no direct experience myself (except childhood!), the videos I've seen on YouTube make the process seem straightforward. Here's a link to a kit to give an idea of what is involved, though the price of the kit seems excessive. Almost better to go with the custom keycaps in the earlier post.

At several dollars per key, a full calculator may be expensive, but they do look very nice.

Please do share the results, however you end up going. Good Luck!

Thanks Bob, that's what I was looking for.
Unfortunately they seem to print only two text blocks per key. That might be worth a try for a calculator with one shift key, but won't work for calculators with more than one shift key as I would require more than two colours.

I used to follow the development of their first OLED keyboard, it took years. Then it was available for an outrageous amount of money, and consequently was a short lived product.

It also didn't help that as a typing keyboard, it was terrible. The keys wobbled as they were pressed. The keys were flat and butted against each other so it was difficult to touch-type. I got the chance to actually play with one while working on an unreleased competing product.

(07-04-2017 02:18 PM)Harald Wrote: Does anyone know of a source for custom key caps that fit the cherry switches?

I suppose by "Cherry" you mean the MX stem, which is most common in the custom keyboard community.

That said, you'd better look around there, the forums I'm aware of are called deskthority and geekhack.

I've ordered keycaps from Signature Plastics (USA) in the past, they do custom keycaps, but I'm not sure of the minimum order quantity. I seem to remember at least one company making relabelable keycaps which allow you to print your own key label and stick it under a transparent cover.

It looks like the number of different key plastics varies between keyboards. Some seem to have up to five different key mouldings, others just one. That's not counting the varying sizes of key.

The double shot pricing at the site is $0.50 - $1.00 per key with 50 sets. Whereas for the acrylic printed legends it is $50 + $1/key with ten sets. $25n - $50n instead of $50 + $10n.

Existing (i.e. cheaper) keys could also be used -- either bought singly or extracted from keyboards. E.g. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind...ail&p=2247 is the beginnings of a calculator. A few custom keys and it could be nice. Twenty three keys and a display is on the low end.

(07-06-2017 11:38 AM)Paul Dale Wrote: The double shot pricing at the site is $0.50 - $1.00 per key with 50 sets. Whereas for the acrylic printed legends it is $50 + $1/key with ten sets. $25n - $50n instead of $50 + $10n.

For the 36 keys I require that would be $900 to $1800 for the double shot and $410 for the printed keys ($2050 for 50 sets).
I can't believe there is no setup charge with the double shot keys, but I can inquire if and when the project has progressed that far.

(07-06-2017 11:38 AM)Paul Dale Wrote: Existing (i.e. cheaper) keys could also be used -- either bought singly or extracted from keyboards. E.g. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind...ail&p=2247 is the beginnings of a calculator. A few custom keys and it could be nice. Twenty three keys and a display is on the low end.

So far the project looks like this:

We'll see if it all works when the PCBs get here and I find the time to populate them.
I guess the keys only make sense if others are intereted in the project, too.

(07-06-2017 01:15 PM)Harald Wrote: I can't believe there is no setup charge with the double shot keys, but I can inquire if and when the project has progressed that far.

Me either. $50 to make a custom double shot mould and run off fifty is insanely cheap.

(07-06-2017 11:38 AM)Paul Dale Wrote: Existing (i.e. cheaper) keys could also be used -- either bought singly or extracted from keyboards. E.g. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind...ail&p=2247 is the beginnings of a calculator. A few custom keys and it could be nice. Twenty three keys and a display is on the low end.

A mixture of existing keys and custom ones might be a good compromise.

Quote:I guess the keys only make sense if others are intereted in the project, too.